Tribute Timothy Liljegren Discussion Thread

[Apex Predator]

Spoon fed the best defender we have.

Was speed burned on a simple play by Stuz
Had a easy PK clear and shot it right to the Ottawa point man.
Had a nice block that might have saved a goal.

I will give him the first game jitters and hopefully he will improve from here.

Just to play devils advocate Stutz was burning a lot of our dman.

the PK situation clearing attempt sucked and wish he cleared it.

I think he played solid and would like to see him play again to see if he can build on that.

 

[zeke]

For the record, if you are analyzing a dman and you can only point out 2-3 times where he got beat, then he had a good game.

 

[Apex Predator]

For the record, if you are analyzing a dman and you can only point out 2-3 times where he got beat, then he had a good game.

He didn’t have anything big where I was left thinking wow Lily in a bad way.

 

[zeke]

He didn’t have anything big where I was left thinking wow Lily in a bad way.

I didn't like when Ennis managed to get a half chance off him on a nothing play.

And maybe he'll learn not to trust Simmonds to make an easy short pass to him next time.

 

[Oscar Peterson]

For the record, if you are analyzing a dman and you can only point out 2-3 times where he got beat, then he had a good game.

Liljegren had a solid game. Sure he rarely got beat 1v1, but there were still several times where he got lost on the play in the defensive zone and ends up kind of chasing around not really knowing where to stand. Still, his poke checks are overall excellent, his skating is definitely good enough to play. He was also maybe trying too hard to get involved offensively on some plays, but I appreciate that he was trying to play with confidence and not shy off in those situations.

Overall, he wasn't outstanding by any stretch, but he showed he does have several NHL level tools. Definitely the best he's looked compared to the other two times he's been called up which is encouraging. However, his positioning / ability to follow around the opposition when they are cycling is still a huge question mark for me that holds him back. But any one who has read my posts before knows I am absolutely not a Justin Holl fan and I think Liljegren deserves more games to see if he can adapt to the NHL pace because there is upside there if he can. And I like that his skating balances out Muzzin who gained another 8-10 pounds this year lol. But, I'm still not 100% certain that he will, rooting for him though.

 

[Stephen]

There isn’t much middle ground with this kid it seems. Last night if he made a 8 foot exit pass some were posting like he should be bronzed. Then if he made a normal D hiccup, some said he should never see the ice again.

Last night he was fine.

He was pretty much fine substituting on the second pair.

There were a couple of moments where I can see where he earns his wrath from people though. There was a cross ice pass with Simmonds where he failed to receive the puck and looked like he either wasn't tracking the puck or zoned out for a moment before picking up the rebound off the boards on his backhand. It was an awkward, nothing moment but it looked funny. And another on a scramble in the slot when another Leaf had to put his stick in Liljegren's back to tell him where to go. Nothing really about the quality of his play or upside but I can see how those rough edges will annoy people.

 

[DarkKnight]

He was pretty much fine substituting on the second pair.

There were a couple of moments where I can see where he earns his wrath from people though. There was a cross ice pass with Simmonds where he failed to receive the puck and looked like he either wasn't tracking the puck or zoned out for a moment before picking up the rebound off the boards on his backhand. It was an awkward, nothing moment but it looked funny. And another on a scramble in the slot when another Leaf had to put his stick in Liljegren's back to tell him where to go. Nothing really about the quality of his play or upside but I can see how those rough edges will annoy people.

Fair read.

 

[TheGoldenJet]

Spoon fed the best defender we have.

On the Marlies maybe.

 

[TMLAM34]

Definitely should get a longer look. He didn’t look out of place at all.

 

[Clark4Ever]

He was pretty much fine substituting on the second pair.

There were a couple of moments where I can see where he earns his wrath from people though. There was a cross ice pass with Simmonds where he failed to receive the puck and looked like he either wasn't tracking the puck or zoned out for a moment before picking up the rebound off the boards on his backhand. It was an awkward, nothing moment but it looked funny. And another on a scramble in the slot when another Leaf had to put his stick in Liljegren's back to tell him where to go. Nothing really about the quality of his play or upside but I can see how those rough edges will annoy people.

Agreed, although Holl has had his share of blunders as well.

 

[TopChedder]

He was decent last night and should be given the chance to make mistakes and learn, like every young D to every play hockey as first year players.

 

[Stephen]

Agreed, although Holl has had his share of blunders as well.

Yeah I think Holl is just an affordable Muzzin partner so whatever we get out of him is just a bonus.

 

[ULF_55]

I didn't like when Ennis managed to get a half chance off him on a nothing play.

And maybe he'll learn not to trust Simmonds to make an easy short pass to him next time.

That was on Simmonds, terrible pass in a vulnerable situation.

 

[meefer]

A decent game from a young player. A few mistakes, every D experiences the same, but the pairing with Muzz held up pretty well. A good start to the season. I’d like to see more.

 

[CupcakeSprinkles]

Better to make mistakes now then later when it really counts. We'll have to play the kid.. he's a big part of our future moving forward.

 

[griffon1]

Solid game. If he can be a little better tomorrow night, I'd give him a 3rd game.

 

[zeke]

That was on Simmonds, terrible pass in a vulnerable situation.

No doubt - but at the same time an experienced D recognizes what his teammates can do - and he was jumping up to lead a rush there. Next time I'm sure he'll be a bit more cautious when it's a guy like wayner passing him the puck.

 

[FiveHoleo]

can I ask what was so solid about his game tonight? I feel like I’m missing that part. Outside of saving a goal. He almost cost us a goal on a horrendous turn over. Stuzle blew right past him a couple times for semi break aways, looked flustered on the PK. It didn’t seem solid to me

Some wishful thinking on his performance for sure. He made a nice block to stop a scoring chance early and the tv crew praised him, but failed to mention that he needed to make that block because he was lost in his own end to begin with and not covering anybody. We only see what we want to see out of this player apparently. The accepted narrative is that he's a star waiting to break out, not that he's an overripe prospect on his last kick at making the club 4 years post draft. Don't present facts that muddy the waters on what a star he is, just accept it because Zeke said so.

 

[LeafChief]

Some wishful thinking on his performance for sure. He made a nice block to stop a scoring chance early and the tv crew praised him, but failed to mention that he needed to make that block because he was lost in his own end to begin with and not covering anybody. We only see what we want to see out of this player apparently. The accepted narrative is that he's a star waiting to break out, not that he's an overripe prospect on his last kick at making the club 4 years post draft. Don't present facts that muddy the waters on what a star he is, just accept it because Zeke said so.

Fact check: this post contains numerous instances of false information.

 

[zeke]

Dpairs so far, minimum 5min played

Sandin-Dermott 72.4xgf%
Muzzin-Liljegren 62.1xgf%
Muzzin-Holl 46.9xgf%
Rielly-Brodie 44.7xgf%

Very nice debut for the kid, on a non-sheltered pairing.

 

[Teeder Keon]

No doubt - but at the same time an experienced D recognizes what his teammates can do - and he was jumping up to lead a rush there. Next time I'm sure he'll be a bit more cautious when it's a guy like wayner passing him the puck.

I’m surprised at you for these comments Brotha ????
Hopefully in the NHL your expectations as a defender and or forward anywhere on the ice that you will get a “ best league in the world “ pass , not the other way around …
That’s all for now ..
I like your stats better than your take here

 

[Bluelines]

He looks like he is too good for the AHL but still has lots to learn to be a regular NHLer, I hope he continues to develop.

 

[D00bis]

Lilly looked good almost unnoticeable in a good way and will get better with some reps. Holl being sick is a great thing for our D core we need experience for the kids and early in the season is better cause everyone is trying to get into season form.

 

[Tarmore]

If his play tonight is any indication of Lilly will grow into with time. I would have no problem with a rotation between Dermot, Sandin, Holl and Lilly where one has the night off. Coach could even pick who sits vs what teams. Like Holl could be in vs teams with a heavy forecheck, etc.

 

[FiveHoleo]

Fact check: this post contains numerous instances of false information.

Feel free to list the facts that are incorrect, that's how this works. When you choose not to say what is wrong, it leads the reader to believe you don't know, and if you don't know then why are you commenting? I'd love to hear it, please share. Tell me all about how Liljegren isn't in his 4th season with the club and struggling to get into the lineup despite jobs opening up after losses in free agency. Tell me about how Liljegren wan't out of position leading to that golden opportunity that he blocked early in the game. I can't wait to hear you explaining how Liljegren is actually a star even though he can't win a starting job, this should be good.